Georgia table egg producers have voted to end the Georgia Egg Commission, which has worked since its establishment in 1961 to promote eggs to consumers, educate egg producers about industry issues and support egg research. Producers voted in a mail referendum held April 1-30. The Georgia Department of Agriculture counted the ballots May 6.

State law requires that all state agricultural commodity commissions hold referendums every three years. For a commission to continue, 66 2/3 percent of the producers who vote must vote to continue the commission.

"In 1961, Georgia egg producers had a vision of the future that needed a program of promotion, education and research. Speaking on behalf of our current and past board of directors, advisors and employees, it has been an honor for us to carry forth this dream and to watch it grow into a great program for a great industry," Georgia Egg Commission President Robert Howell said in a released statement.

Georgia table egg producers paid an assessment of 4.5 cents per 30-dozen case of eggs, which generated about $350,000 annually to fund the commission's promotion, education and research activities.

This is the first commodity commission with active production to be voted out, Howell said, and there are many details that must be addressed in the coming weeks to closeout the commission. The commission will hold its 30th annual recipe contest May 15 as scheduled. Although commission staff also manages the Georgia Egg Association, the association will hold its annual meeting June 19-21 on St. Simon's Island.